Using Package Definition File Format

A package definition file (PDF) is an ASCII text file that contains predefined Workstation, Sharing, and Inventory property settings the system uses for a package. A PDF follows the standard initialization file format containing keys (the key names are enclosed within square brackets and separated by spaces), where each key contains one or more entries. A PDF has specific keys and entries that are used by the system to set the properties of a package.

Important keys include:

• The [PDF] key, which identifies the file as a package definition file.
• The [Package Definition] key, which defines the overall properties of the package.
• For the setup variations specified in the SetupVariation entry in the [Package Definition] key, the PDF must have a key that defines each variation.
• The [Setup Package for Sharing] key, which defines the Sharing properties of the package.
• The [Program Item Properties Index] key, which specifies the program item properties for network applications contained in the package. Each program item will be defined in the package's Sharing property.
• The [Setup Package for Inventory] key, which defines the Inventory properties of the package.
• For the files specified in the PackageDetectionRule entry in the [Setup Package for Inventory] key, the PDF must have a key that defines each file. Each file corresponds to a key that defines the attributes of the file and has the form of [File index].
• The inventory rules for a package must define that package uniquely among all other packages that may be installed on a machine. You can use a prodspec.INI file in conjunction with the Inventory section of the PDF to increase the accuracy of package recognition. A prodspec.INI file uses the standard .INI file format and contains sections and keys that, taken together, uniquely define a specific version of a product.